Computer science
Are you interested in becoming a computer programmer, Web deisgner or network administrator? You might enjoy learning more about computer science at Central College. Central offers a broad range of computer science courses. Students gain experience working with computer programming languages such as Python, Java, C++ and PHP. Computer science graduates are well prepared for immediate employment or graduate programs. Past graduates have gone on to become application developers, network administrators, systems analysts, Web programmers and software engineers.
Faculty
- Robert Franks, Ph.D., professor of computer science,
franksr@central.edu
- Stephen Fyfe, Ph.D., professor of computer science,
fyfes@central.edu
- Russell Goodman, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics,
goodmanr@central.edu
- Allen Hibbard, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and computer science,
hibbarda@central.edu
- Mark Johnson, Ph.D., professor of math and computer science,
johnsonm@central.edu
- Thomas Linton, Ph.D., associate professor of math and computer science,
lintont@central.edu
- Mark Mills, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics,
millsm@central.edu
- Wendy Weber, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics,
weberw@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Kathie Flood, lead program manager, Microsoft Games Studios, Redmond, Wash.
- Chad Gross, partner/chief technology officer, Mobitech, Omaha, Neb.
- Jenifer Jagen, graduate student, DePaul University, game design, Chicago, Ill
- Chrisr Lauman, IT software project engineer, Pella Corporation, Pella
- Chelsey Keller, graduate student, University of Iowa, computer graphics, Iowa City, Iowa
- Curt Winterboer, system engineer, Entre Information Systems, Hiawatha, Iowa
- Tim Barcz, research and development manager, Geonetric Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA
Internships
Internship experiences, which are recommended for majors, provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge. Central works with students to gain internship experience locally, regionally including an opportunity to spend a semester in the Chicago Metropolitan Center. Past internships include:
- Renee Thompson, Mercy Home Medical Services, Des Moines, Iowa
- Kim Flahrehty, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa
- Ben Bollard, Pella Corporation, Pella, Iowa
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
- Calculus and analytic geometry I
- Introduction to Web programming
- Introduction to computer science
- Scientific Programming
- Software design
- Data structures
- Computer organization and architecture
- Programming: language
- Web application development
- Advanced software design
- Algorithms
- Discrete structures
- Programming language concepts
- Database systems
- Computer graphics
- Numerical analysis
- Computer networks
- Web application development
- Junior and senior seminars
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Introduction to computer science
- Data Structures
- Calculus and analytic geometry I
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Discrete Structures
- Software Design
- Computer organization and architecture
- Computer science elective courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Junior year
- Mathematics/computer science seminar
- Computer science elective courses
- Mathematics elective
- Core courses and/or electives
Senior Year
- Mathematics/computer science seminar
- Advanced software design
- Computer science elective courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
The computing science program is proud to offer a unique computing laboratory with an advanced networking lab which allows students to get hands-on computer networking experience. The laboratory includes an eight node, 16 processor cluster to support high performance, parallel computing activities. The laboratory also has other advanced technologies to support courses and independent studies.
Department Web site
Central's math and computer science department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in math or computer science.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization you’ll be interested in! The mathematics and computer science department regularly organizes social activities for its students. Computer science majors may also be interested in joining a team for one of the programming contests that Central regularly participates in.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
